A/N: Thank you to everyone who takes the time to give my story a read, this is my first Labyrinth fanfiction, and I was nervous as all get out about posting it. There isn't going to a set schedule for me to upload the chapters as I have work and real-life issues to deal with.

Please leave a review if you have time, I would love the feedback. And without further ado…

I do not own anything except any OC characters that I choose to add into the story. Thank you.

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XXI.

Sarah still quite confused, stared at the crystal outstretched in his hand and asked, "What's true?"

Jareth gestured the crystal again and Sarah stared at it, still wary. "It will not hurt you. I promise. Remember what I said about being safe in Ayden's presence. I meant it." He replied, noting the apprehensive look on her face.

Sarah reached out with one of her hands, tentatively.

Jareth and Ayden watched with bated breath as Sarah's hand connected with the clear crystal.

The crystal wasn't at all what Sarah expected it to feel like. She remembered the one that Jareth had tried to offer her before and wasn't sure what would happen if she had accepted this one without asking first. It was warm and comforting, almost like a hug, she then realized that it must be magic that she was feeling. Sarah took the crystal from Jareth's hand and cradled it in both of her hands as she peered within it. As she stared into the depths, she began to see swirling shapes that looked distorted by the roundness of the crystal. A familiar tune filled the room that filtered in with almost a hauntingly echo, but Sarah was distracted as more of the vision came into focus. When the view centered on two individuals that were dancing in the midst of the mass of weirdly dressed beings, Sarah gasped. It was the scene from the ballroom and Sarah was gazing at her 15-year-old self in that silver monstrosity of a dress. The vision fell out of focus again, the shapes disappeared, and the music faded. Sarah looked up into the awaiting eyes of Jareth, whose gaze seemed both full of regret and relief at the same time. That's when it finally dawned on her. "I have powers? Magic?!" She said breathlessly with what looked like hope filled her eyes.

Jareth nodded slowly. "I had hoped that you would have figured it out before now. Have you not made a wish since your run?" Jareth asked, eyeing Sarah curiously.

"No. Like I told you before, I realized how much power words have now. Wishing, even with thought is dangerous. Even Toby knows that." Sarah replied, before sparing a glance at Ayden, who was smiling gently. "And you knew?"

"Not until I was made Overseer of the tournament and connected with the Labyrinth myself. When I realized there was another connection, I simply followed it. Never would I have guessed it would lead me to you. And as Overseer, I was not allowed to intervene. But I have realized I am allowed to bend the rules somewhat. Since most of the other challengers will have magic, I only wanted to even the playing field. Not that you need it. Your sheer force of will and your love for your brother is what helped you best Jareth the first time." Ayden walked over to Sarah and placed a hand over the crystal in hers. "This crystal will help you focus until you can create one yourself. Any wish that is felt with your whole heart shall be granted to you. I trust you know the right words?" He asked, pulling his hand away.

Sarah nodded, clutching the crystal to her chest.

Jareth reached out a hand and placed it on her shoulder. "I do not know how powerful you are as of yet, Sarah. And I do not know if it will grow now that you are underground. Be careful what you wish for." He said, squeezing her shoulder gently.

Sarah placed one of her hands over his. "I know." She answered, seriously.

Ayden clapped his hands, which startled both Jareth and Sarah. "Good. Now all that is left is your choice, Champion." Ayden's voice took on a different tone, which seemed harsher than normal. "Sarah Ann Williams, of the Aboveground, Lady of the Labyrinth, Champion of the Goblin Kingdome, will you consent to compete in the King's Tournament?"

Sarah closed her eyes for a moment, and Jareth's heart stopped. Maybe he hadn't gotten through to her. Maybe she had decided to go back above and never worry about him or his kingdom again. There were so many what-ifs as Jareth's mind spiraled.

Sarah opened her eyes and looked directly at Jareth for a moment, who had relaxed slightly, and then turned her attention back to Ayden. "I will compete." She said.

Ayden nodded and the strange demeanor that had come over him for a moment melted away. "Wonderful. I am heartened by that fact that we have one of our own in the game." He flashed a smile at both of them. "Oh, I almost forgot. Shall I prepare a room for Sarah in the challenger's wing?" He asked, a ghost of a smirk on the corner of his lips.

Jareth cut in, his voice hard. "That will not be necessary. Sarah will stay in these chambers until a winner has been chosen. She was given these chambers when she first arrived. It is my will as King." He replied.

Ayden nodded and bowed. "And so shall it be. Good day to you both. Do not forget to rest. You are both still recuperating. You will receive summons when the tournament is ready to begin." He said, then turned and walked straight to the door, pulling it open and stepping through, closing it behind him.

The silence was deafening until Sarah moved towards the armchairs and plopped down next to the one Jareth had been occupying. She took a deep breath and stared at the flames.

Jareth waited a moment and then followed, sitting down in the armchair across from Sarah. He studied Sarah's face as she stared at the fire, he had seen her expression this determined only once before, when she was about to best him. "Are you sure about this?" He asked quietly.

Sarah let her gaze drift from the flames to his mismatched eyes and was taken aback when she saw that they held a look which was a mix of fear and concern. She smiled softly at him, clutching the crystal to her chest. "Of all the things to ask, of course I'm not sure. I've never been more unsure of anything that I am right now. I hope to be a worthy champion, your majesty." She replied.

Jareth breathed out a sigh of relief and gave her a half-smile. "I have no doubt that you will exceed my expectations, my champion." He answered.

Sarah's grip on the crystal lessened and she let her hand that held it fall to her lap. "Now what? Because I for one don't want to be cooped up in here until the tournament starts." She said.

"Nor do we have to. We just have to relax, nothing strenuous. My staff can take care of the kingdom for a couple of days." He replied and then grinned, "Would you care to see the gardens?" He asked, standing, and offering Sarah his hand.

Sarah's interest was piqued. "Gardens? Beats being stuck inside." She replied, standing and accepting his hand.

Jareth pulled Sarah close and when she moved to pull away, his grip tightened. "For safety, Sarah. Teleporting is tricky, especially if I don't have my magic at full capacity yet." He said.

Sarah grimaced, but at the same time thought it was kind of nice to be this close to him again, twice in one day, in fact. "Then maybe we should just-" She began to say as both her and Jareth disappeared in a puff of glitter and reappeared in the middle of a 4-cross intersection stone path, surrounded by flowers on al sides, as Sarah finished, "-walk."

Jareth sagged a little against her as sweat broke out across his brow. "But where's the fun in that, Precious?" He huffed out.

Sarah sighed as she propped herself under his arm, against his shoulder as he held onto her.

"Maybe I should sit a spell before we attempt to venture elsewhere." Jareth said breathlessly as Sarah helped walk him over to one of the benches amidst the flowers.

Once they were both seated, Sarah took a moment to take a look around. The part of the garden they were in was surrounded by tall grass hedges, like in the actual Labyrinth, with a few openings spaced out leading to other sections of the garden it seemed. There were various different species of flowers, some Sarah recognized and some she didn't. There was a fountain next to one of the hedge walls that bubbled and trickled, which added a definitely peaceful addition to the environment. The stone path looked hand placed, as if someone had taken the time to carve and place them in the exact spot that looked as though it had been made for that particular piece. Sarah took a deep breath and smelled only the fragrance of the flowers on the breeze. "This is beautiful." She breathed out, sparing a glance at Jareth, who had his eyes closed and seemed to be concentrating on something.

Jareth opened his eyes and met her gaze. "Yes. After a particular runner left a trail of destructions, when the Labyrinth righted itself, it chose to make a place that it felt reflected the runner. It even appointed a gardener." He said and titled his head a bit as though listening to something. "Who should be making his rounds right about now." He finished, just as a rustling noise came from one of the openings.

A stumpy shape of a dwarf came shuffling around the corner, brandishing a sort of makeshift duo of a watering can and sprayer of some kind. His stature was a bit stunted as he hiked up his patchwork pants.

"Hoggle!" Sarah blurted out as she recognized her first friend from her run.

The dwarf stopped mid-step and looked towards the sound. His mouth gaped open as he noticed Sarah and Jareth. "S-Sarah?! What're you doing 'ere?" He stammered out.

Sarah leapt up from the bench, skirted her way around a couple sections of flowers as she neared Hoggle. She knelt down and threw her arms around him. "It's so good to see you!"

Hoggle was shocked for a moment before he wrapped a hand around and patted her awkwardly on the back. "It's good ta see ya too, girlie. Ya ain't in trouble is ya? Why ya 'ere?" He asked as he glanced at Jareth and then back to her. "The rat ain't kidnapped the boy again did he?"

Sarah shook her head and grinned as she heard Jareth scoff behind her.

"Come, Come, Hogsbreath." Jareth replied, his kinglier tone taking over his voice, "As if I would harm a hair on young Tobias' head."

"It's Hoggle." Both Hoggle and Sarah said in unison. "No, No. Jareth hasn't done anything wrong, that I know of." She replied, turning to give Jareth a look to which he held up his arms with his palms facing her as if to say that he wasn't hiding anything. Sarah gave him a quick smile and turned back to Hoggle. "In fact, since I've arrived, he's been the perfect gentleman." She said. Sarah then took the time to explain about how she came to be in the underground, and what happened after, although leaving out the parts about being beat up and her relaxation session in the bathroom. After she finished, she showed him the crystal that she held in her hand. A few lights sparkled within it and Hoggle's eyes went wide. "And I found out that I have magic." She finished, giving Hoggle a grin.

"Well ain't dat somethin'. Shouldn't ya be gettin' on home?" Hoggle asked.

Sarah's grin faded somewhat. "I sorta accepted to compete in a some kind of King's Tournament. As the Champion of the Labyrinth." She answered, looking down at the ground.